Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Factionalism Rife Within the CPP in Ghana

In the lead up to the 2012 elections after the resignation of Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum, two former executives of the CPP accused Samia Nkrumah of charting a selfish course that will ensure she eventually emerges as the flag bearer of the party.

07.01.2016
Mildred Europa Taylor

Political Scientist, Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, has accused former National Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Samia Nkrumah of being the cause of frequent break aways from the party.

In the lead up to the 2012 elections after the resignation of Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum two former executives of the CPP accused Samia Nkrumah of charting a selfish course that will ensure she eventually emerges as the flag bearer of the party.

Dr Abu Sakara, the 2012 presidential candidate of the CPP on January 6,2015 announced that he has left the party to contest the 2016 presidential elections as an independent candidate.

In a statement, Dr. Sakara said “The purpose will be to provide a more focused national interest platform on which we can truly build national consensus around the key issues that will really transform our nation for the good of all of us.”

Dr. Amoako Baah has told Pulse.com.gh, one cannot rule out the fact that Samia Nkrumah contributed to Sakara's resignation.

"Even if she [Samia] is not at the centre of all the disagreements that have made Abu Sakara leave she has contributed to it for sure.

"Look at what happened the last time round. Paa Kwesi Nduom broke away and formed PPP and did better than CPP. If they had stayed together, they would be a real contender, they would be a party that is on the way up instead of the way down," he said.

He added that "if she is gone to contest for the flagbearship. I'm sure she is popular with the party operatives, the electoral officials and so who has a good chance of beating her in the primaries.

Dr. Sakara’s resignation leaves Samia Nkrumah as the only front runner in the race for the flag bearer for now.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Amoako said he is doubtful as to whether the leadership style adopted by Samia Nkrumah would help the party in the 2016 elections.

"I don't think her leadership is going to help the party. You don't necessarily have to be in charge to contribute to well being of the party or a nation. You can be in the background and be the backbone and make things work. And since she is an Nkrumah I don't know if she feels it is her birthright to lead the party," he added.

Onzy Nkrumah Secures Court Injunction on CPP Congress

Mr. Nkrumah who is one of the sons of the CPP founder and Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah was disqualified for allegedly failing to comply with the set rules.

29.01.2016
Efua Idan Osam

Disqualified presidential candidate aspirant of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Onzy Nkrumah has secured a court injunction on the party’s national delegates congress slated for Saturday.

In an interview on Radio Ghana on Thursday, Mr. Nkrumah explained that “the injunction was actually issued. It was not just being sought. It was sought and it was granted meaning that they have cancelled the event on Saturday.”

“This means that if they go ahead with it, it will be illegal,” he added.

Mr. Nkrumah who is one of the sons of the CPP founder and Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah was disqualified for allegedly failing to comply with the set rules.

He however, accused his sister, and a CPP presidential candidate aspirant, Samia Nkrumah of masterminding his disqualification from race.

He is quoted to have said: “…I find it very difficult and unfortunate that she is trying everything to bring me down, not only her but her friends…why are they doing that for? Why are they only targeting me and not the others? So it is obvious.”

Nonetheless, Onzy Nkrumah claims to deeply love the CPP therefore, his seeking of a court injunction is only aimed at “improving the party and increasing the fortunes of the CPP.”

“The CPP is in tatters, it is seriously divided, the CPP needs serious rebuilding…I am trying to seek to reverse and not to allow the division and the decline to continue.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy General Secretary of the CPP, Eric Asani confirmed that the party has indeed received the injunction.

“We received it this evening after we had done our rounds in connection with the congress that we are to hold on Saturday so yes, we have received an injunction,” he said.

He insisted that the congress will take place as planned saying, “as far as I am concerned, the congress is still coming on. It is the most ridiculous news ever to hit the Convention People’s Party. If anybody claims to love the party, he will not go round doing this.”

“We have notified our lawyers so they will be the best people to deal with the injunction but as far as I am concerned, the congress is coming on live.”

CPP Doesn't Abide by Principles - Abu Sakara

A portion of his letter said, "The fact that several leading members support this dynastic project is a testimony to the fact that we have lost our way and probably the spirit of our cause."

Published: 28.01.2016
Emmanuel Tornyi

The 2012 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party Dr. Abu Sakara has explained his decision to leave the party on the grounds that he does not believe that the party abides by the values and principles that drew him in.

According to him, "the party’s focus has shifted from a collective effort to build the party to the pursuit of positions for fulfilment of personal ambitions."

In his resignation letter dated January, 4 2016, to the national chairman of the party, he said
"Indifference to the collective good for the cause of the party is pervasive and has subsequently spawned a culture of intolerance and indiscipline that is rooted in reckless factionalism."

A portion of his letter said, "This trend has now reached its peak and I fear it has eroded all CPP’s institutions and systems that were built over the years. What is left is the semblance of a personality cult club built around the ambition of an individual. The sole purpose of this seems to begin a process of leadership by dynastic succession."

Resignation of Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster from the Convention People’s Party

I resign from the Convention People’s Party with effective from January 4, 2016.

My resignation is because I no longer believe that the Convention People’s Party abides by the values and principles that drew me to it. Consequently the party’s focus has shifted from a collective effort to build the party to the pursuit of positions for fulfilment of personal ambitions. Indifference to the collective good for the cause of the party is pervasive and has subsequently spawned a culture of intolerance and indiscipline that is rooted in reckless factionalism.

This trend has now reached its peak and I fear it has eroded all CPP’s institutions and systems that were built over the years. What is left is the semblance of a personality cult club built around the ambition of an individual. The sole purpose of this seems to begin a process of leadership by dynastic succession.

The fact that several leading members support this dynastic project is a testimony to the fact that we have lost our way and probably the spirit of our cause.

Together with others, I have spent the last eight years trying to rebuild the CPP as an alternative political force to the NDC and NPP. I committed resources beyond my means to achieve this as a lasting contribution to the memory of the great sacrifices that were made by the patriarchs and matriarchs that preceded my generation. Success would have been the greatest tribute we could have paid them. I cannot however see or fathom how the current state of the party can justify any further effort on my part. I have concluded that my aim to always work in the national interest will deliver greater results for my country outside of the CPP.

I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served with many committed comrades, I am especially grateful to the few of my generation and the majority of elders who stood with me in the 2012 election when I had the privilege of representing the party as its Presidential Candidate. Their widow’s mite will always remind me of the passion for our dear nation that they carry in their hearts.

I now go forward to pursue the same aspiration of raising our nation to its rightful place by another path. I wish the many loyal comrades I leave behind best wishes in your endeavour. Perhaps we shall meet again in another place at another time.

May God bless you and may you enjoy his peace.

Yours Sincerely
Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster

CPP predicts hardship for Sakara and Ayariga

"It is going to be very difficult for Hassan Ayariga, the same way it is going to be difficult for Dr. Sakara pursue an independent agenda."

26.01.2016
Efua Idan Osam

The Convention People's Party (CPP) is predicting hardship for its 2012 presidential candidate, Dr. Abu Sakara should he decide to contest the November presidential polls on an independent ticket or on the ticket of a different party.

The party is predicting same for the 2012 presidential candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC) who has now formed his own party after suffering defeat in the party's presidential election last year.

Speaking on Radio Ghana's Behind thr News programme on Monday, General Secretary of the CPP, Nii Armah Akomfrah said: "It is going to be very difficult for Hassan Ayariga, the same way it is going to be difficult for Dr. Sakara pursue an independent agenda."

According to Mr. Akomfrah, people have the right to leave or join any political party of their choice since Ghana is a free country.

Although he admitted that politics is about numbers and would rather want these aggrieved members to remain within the party, the CPP will not be perturbed by such moves.

Unity talks

Commenting on plans by smaller parties within the country to join forces to form a united front, the CPP General Secretary said his that move is not priority for his outfit at the moment.

He remarked that the CPP will not subject itself to"endless discussions" since the CPP has established itself as the "clear alternative platform to the NDC and the NPP."

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